Print

Print


According to Dr. Stanley Fahn (The Center For Parkinson's Disease - Columbia
Presbyterian Hospital, New York  212-305-5277) there are 5 openings still
left to participate in the NIH funded double blind test of fetal transplant
surgery being done in conjunction with The University of Colorodo (Drs. Freed
and Breeze).  Those in the double blind NOT receiving the surgery will have
the option of getting it done for free in 1 year when the blind is opened.

Criteria for acceptance into the program are: 1) Parkinson's disease and not
some other form of Parkinson syndrome 2) willingness to be evaluated at
Columbia 3) Age between 20 and 75 4) Parkinsons for at least 7 years and
responsive to L-Dopa 5) Presence of an intractable problem - off periods,
dyskinesias or freezing - the problem must have been attempted to be
controlled by pergolide and bromocriptine  6) no depression and no cognitive
impairment  7) no depression and no cognitive impairment 8) successful
completion of home diary 9) normal MRI of brain within past 18 months 10)
able to communicate in english and 11) able to financially cover expenses not
paid for by NIH grant ($1000-$2000).   EXCLUSION CRITERIA - 1) depression or
cognitive impairment 2) previous brain surgery 3) presence of diabetes
mellitus, severe cardiopulmonary disease or other severe medical disease 4)
not medically cleared to undergo a surgical procedure.   If you qualify, you
can contact Columbia Presbyterian directly to obtain more information.